Medicament ejector with ejection port servicing

ABSTRACT

A medicament ejector is provided which includes an ejection mechanism and a service mechanism. The ejection mechanism includes at least one ejection port configured to eject a medicament-containing fluid. The service mechanism is selectively deployable to service the at least one ejection port.

BACKGROUND

[0001] There are various techniques used to dispense medicament as anaerosol. These techniques provide much-needed drug-delivery methods thatallow patients to aspirate medication rather than swallow a pill, ordrink or inject medication. In some cases, as with medications thatdirectly target the patient's lungs, aspiration enables the medicine toreach the target area more quickly. In addition, aspiration is typicallyconsidered to be less painful than other drug-delivery methods.

[0002] Examples of aerosol dispensers include metered dose inhalers, drypowder inhalers, and nebulizers. Each of these typically has at least asingle nozzle, if not multiple nozzles from which the aerosol medicamentmay be ejected. With any of these devices, effective and consistentejection of controlled doses of medicament may be achieved where the oneor more nozzles are free of debris and medicament build-up. When anyform of blockage of a nozzle occurs, inconsistent and incomplete dosesmay be dispensed. Further, blockages can transform the character of theejected aerosol, such as altering the size and quantity of dropsejected. Accordingly, it is desirable to use medicament ejectors thathave clean nozzles to assure that desired doses are dispensed.

SUMMARY

[0003] A medicament ejector is provided which includes an ejectionmechanism and a service mechanism. The ejection mechanism includes atleast one ejection port configured to eject a medicament-containingfluid. The service mechanism is selectively deployable to service the atleast one ejection port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a side view in block diagram form of a medicamentejector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a side view in partial block diagram form of amedicament ejector in a first operating state according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a portion of an ejector similarto the ejector of FIG. 2 showing a second operating state.

[0007]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a third operatingstate.

[0008]FIG. 5A is an enlarged top view of a portion of the ejector ofFIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

[0009]FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5A, but showing a differentoperating position.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

[0011]FIG. 7 is an end view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a service assembly of the ejector of FIG.3.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a cross section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

[0014]FIG. 10 is an end view illustrating operation of a portion of amedicament ejector made according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 11 is a series of side views illustrating operation of aportion of a medicament ejector made according to yet another embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a medicament ejector madeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention is shown generallyat 20. Ejector 20 may eject a medicament as an aerosol, such as isprovided by a metered dose inhaler, a dry powder inhaler, or anebulizer. As a metered dose inhaler, it may be a bubble-jet,piezoelectric or vibrating-membrane type. The medicament may beentrained or otherwise mixed, such as in solution in a gas or liquidfluid. Accordingly, such a medicament may also be referred to as afluid-based solute medicament.

[0017] As shown, ejector 20 may include a controller 22 adapted tocontrol ejector 20 electronically, mechanically, or both. Controller 22thus may include a processor and memory configured to storepreprogrammed operating parameters. The memory may include volatilememory, nonvolatile memory, or both. It is to be appreciated that suchoperating parameters may be provided via direct user input, may occurvia a personal computer or other device, or may be in the form offirmware. The controller may provide a prescribed dosage or nominaldosage, and/or may be provided with dosage parameters such as a loadingdosage and/or a dosing regimen set by a physician, pharmacist, ormanufacturer of the prescribed medicament.

[0018] Dosage information as well as audible or visible alarmconditions, and other desired information may be communicated to adisplay 24 for communication with a user. Controller 22, which may alsobe referred to as structure for controlling operation, typicallyreceives power from a power source 26. The power source may be abattery, external power source, or other suitable power supply, whetherdisposable, rechargeable or permanent.

[0019] As indicated, controller 22 also may be in electroniccommunication with an ejector head 28, also referred to as an ejectionmechanism, so as to provide controlling direction to one or moreejection elements to effect controlled ejection of droplets ofmedicament as an aerosol. Head 28 may also be referred to as structurefor ejecting medicament. The ejection elements receive fluid-basedmedicament from a fluid supply 30, also referred to as structure forstoring medicament.

[0020] Operation of the ejector may be initiated by an activation switch32 controlled by the user, or the ejector may instead detect thepresence of the user, such as through inhalation through a mouthpiece34, and activate the inhaler automatically.

[0021] Ejector 20 also may include a head service device, or servicemechanism 36, which provides structure for servicing the ejector head.The servicing may be virtually any function that maintains, repairs orotherwise adjusts an aspect of the ejector head to promote extendedoperation as designed. The head service device may provide a signal tocontroller 22 on a line 38 indicative of some aspect of the servicingfunction. The controller may then control operation of the ejector headbased on the information contained in the signal. For instance,operation of the ejector head may be blocked if the service function hasnot been performed since the last operation of the ejector head, or ifthe service device is in a position that may interfere with operation ofthe ejector head.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2-9, another embodiment of a medicamentejector is shown generally at 50. Ejector 50 includes a housing 52having a mouthpiece 54 that provides an exit passage for the ejectedinhalant. A fluid supply 56 typically stores medicament and provides itto ejection chambers in ejector head 58. Ejector head 58 may have anejection face 60 with one or more ejection ports 62, shown in FIG. 7.The ejection face and ports may be formed as part of a rigid plastic ormetal base, by a porous membrane supported over one or more ejectionchambers from which medicament is ejected, or by other suitablestructure. The ejection face may be a continuous smooth surface in whichthe ports are located, which surface may be planar, curved, or haveanother shape. Ports 62 may also be referred to as apertures, orifices,openings, or structure for allowing the passage of medicament. The portsmay allow medicament ejected from the ejection head to pass out ofejector head 58 and into mouthpiece 54 for inhalation by a user, and mayalso have any suitable shape and arrangement.

[0023] A controller 64, that may receive power from a battery pack 66,may control operation of the ejector head. An activation switch 68controlled by the user may be used to initiate operation of the ejector.An alarm 70 may be used to notify the user of the operating condition ofthe ejector, such as when medicament supplies are getting low or whenfunctioning of the ejector is interrupted.

[0024] The ejector also may include a head service device 72 designed toservice ejector head 58. Service device 72 may include a serviceassembly 74 that may be formed as an integral continuous ribbon, asshown in FIG. 2. This ribbon may be flexible, or have articulatingelements, to allow movement along a non-rectilinear path 76, such as isdefined by a track 78 that may be formed in or supported on housing 52.Track 78 may be formed by guides, such as guides 80, 82, 84 and 86.Alternatively, and optionally, if the movement does not require flexing,assembly 74 may be rigid.

[0025] Service assembly 74 may include a carrier 87 and servicemechanism shown generally at 88 that may include a capper 90 and a wiper92. Capper 90, also referred to as structure for capping, may include aridge 93 that extends around the perimeter of the ejection ports. Ridge93 may sealingly and selectively engage ejection face 60 in order toenvironmentally isolate the ports from ambient conditions when theejector is not in use. This may maintain the humidity around the ports,preventing drying of any residual medicament. Other benefits of thecapper may include preventing depriming of any ejection chambers if theejector is dropped, and preventing environmental debris from coveringthe ejection face. Wiper 92 may be formed of a plurality of ridges orblades, such as blade 94, extending laterally across the width of theejection face. Wiper 92, also referred to as structure for cleaning orwiping, may wipe the ejection ports 62, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, andmay remove residual medicament or other debris resident around theejection ports or on the ejection face. This may keep the ports clear sothat ejection of medicament during operation of the ejector head isunimpeded.

[0026] Service mechanism 88 may be made of an elastomeric or resilientmaterial, such as an EPDM rubber, or other material capable ofperforming the associated service function or functions, such as cappingand wiping. As shown in FIG. 3, the service mechanism may be mounted orsupported on carrier 87 that may be made of the same material as theservice mechanism. In this case, the carrier may be made integrally withthe service mechanism as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the carrier maybe made of a durable, flexible and non-stretchable material, such as asheet metal, plastic or a fabric that is different than the materialfrom which the service mechanism is made. This embodiment is shown inFIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 9. For example, the carrier could be made of a thinlayer of a metal such as spring steel, plastic or fabric.

[0027] Carrier 87 may have an anchor end 87 a that may be supportedrelative to the housing by the parallel connection of a dashpot 96 and atension spring 98, as shown. The opposite or free end 87 b of thecarrier may be attached to a handle 100 that extends outwardly fromhousing 52 through a slot 102. Handle 100 may be engaged by a user andshifted between a first position 104, shown in FIG. 2, in which capper90 is in a stored position covering ejection face 60, and a secondposition 106, shown in FIG. 4. When the handle is in the secondposition, the capper and wiper may be removed from a stored position 108(FIG. 2) adjacent to the ejector face to a retracted position 110 (FIG.4) spaced from the ejector face. The handle may thus function asstructure for moving or deploying the service mechanism.

[0028] During movement of the service mechanism between the storedposition and the retracted position, an action that also may be referredto as deploying the service mechanism, wiper 92 may move across ejectionface 60, wiping the ejection ports in the face, as is illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 7. Carrier 87 may define an enlarged opening 112 that may bealigned with the ejection face when the service mechanism is in theretracted position. Opening 112 thus may allow medicament ejected fromejector head 58, as represented by ejection stream 114 in FIG. 4, to beejected from the ejector.

[0029] A latch 116 may secure the service mechanism in the retractedposition. A top view of latch 116, also referred to as structure formaintaining the service mechanism in a retracted position, is shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. The distal or free end 87 b of carrier 87 may have apin 118 that may be secured by a notch or detent 120 a in a lever arm120. One end of the lever arm may pivot about pivot 122. Arm 120 may bebiased toward a locking position, shown in FIG. 5A, by a biasingelement, such as a spring 124. A tapered leading edge 120 b of the leverarm may be initially contacted by pin 118 as carrier 87 is moved towardthe retracted position. This may move the lever arm into a releaseposition, shown in FIG. 5B, that allows movement of pin 118 along theside of the arm. When the pin reaches the detent in the lever arm,spring 124 may bias the arm into the locking position in which the pinand carrier may be prevented from moving toward the store position.

[0030] A release arm 126, may have a top end exposed for manipulation bya user. Arm 126 travels in a groove 128 in a frame 130 that istransverse to lever arm 120. After operation of the ejector, a user mayrelease pin 118 by moving the release arm against the lever arm to aposition such as that shown in FIG. 5B. When the pin is released, thecarrier is free to move in track 78. Return spring 98, attached to thecarrier end 87 a, may bias the carrier, and thereby the servicemechanism, toward the stored position, shown in FIG. 2. Optional dashpot96 may be used to control the speed of movement of the wiper as it wipesacross ejection face 60. For a relatively constant force, the dashpotmay cause the wiper to move at a relatively constant speed during thewiping process. This may provide an improved wiping action that moreeffectively cleans the ejection ports than does a faster or variablespeed wiping action.

[0031] Alternatively, release arm 126 may be automatically moved torelease the lever arm by a powered mechanism controlled by controller64, such as a solenoid, not shown. This automatic release may beeffected after the ejector head has ejected a dose of medicament. Whenreleased, service mechanism 88 may be returned to the stored position,wiping the ejector face in the process. In this way, the wiping andcapping functions may occur substantially immediately after themedicament ejection, and cleaning and sealing may be provided before anyresidual medicament has had an opportunity to dry or cake around theejection ports.

[0032] It will also be appreciated that even without latch 116, servicemechanism 88 may be moved or deployed between the stored and retractedpositions by manipulation of handle 100 by a user. Alternatively, theservice assembly may be moved along track 78 by operation of a gear,cogwheel or pinion 132 acting on teeth, such as tooth 134, formed in orattached to the backside of carrier 87, as shown. Pinion 132 may berotated manually, such as by a handle 136 or an exposed rotating thumbwheel, not shown. The pinion may also be driven by a motor 138, such asa stepper motor. This drive assembly may also be referred to asstructure for mechanically driving or deploying the service mechanismalong the ejection face. When a motor is used, the position of theservice mechanism may be determined from the operation of the motor, sothe latch, spring, dashpot, and sensors may be omitted.

[0033] A sensor 140 may detect when the service mechanism has servicedthe ejection ports, or when the service mechanism is retracted from theejection face to allow for ejection of medicament from the ejectionhead. Sensor 140 may include a detection mechanism, such as a switch 142(FIGS. 5A and 5B) that may be actuated when lever arm 120 moves from therelease position into the locking position, as occurs when pin 118 docksinto detent 120 a, as explained above. Alternatively, sensor 140 may beplaced at other locations along path 76 to detect movement of servicemechanism 88 relative to ejection face 60.

[0034] A user may activate control switch 68 to initiate operation ofejector 50, if automatic activation is not provided. Initially,controller 64 may determine, from sensor 140, whether the servicemechanism is in the retracted position. The controller may prohibitoperation of the ejector head during servicing, while the servicemechanism is in the stored position, or during travel of the servicemechanism between the stored and retracted positions. The controller maycheck the signal received from sensor 140 periodically. If handle 100 isused by the user to move the service mechanism to the retractedposition, this movement may be detected by the operation of sensorswitch 142, as discussed above. Alternatively, upon activation ofcontrol switch 68 by the user, a driver, such as motor 138, may move theservice mechanism. During movement of the service mechanism 88 from thestored position to the retracted position, wiper 92 may wipe ejectionface 60, cleaning debris from ejection ports 62.

[0035] On detection of the securing of pin 118 in detent 120 a of thelever arm (e.g., via sensor 140), controller 64 may operate ejector head58, causing medicament to be expelled from the ejector head and out ofports 62 for inhaling by the user. After completion of the medicamentejection, the user or an automatic device may disengage pin 118 bymovement of release arm 126. Once released, the service mechanism may bereturned to the stored position, and in doing so, may wipe the ports inejection face 60 with wiper 92 and may cap the ejection face around theejection ports with capper 90. The service mechanism may be returned tothe stored position by manually moving handle 100 to the position shownin FIG. 2. Alternatively, spring 98 may draw the service mechanism backalong track 78 to the stored position, or a motor 138 or manual device,such as handle 136 acting on pinion 132, may move the service mechanism.

[0036] An alternative embodiment of an ejector, shown generally at 150in FIG. 10, includes a service device 152 including a service mechanism154. Other features of the ejector may be similar to those describedabove for other embodiments. As shown, service mechanism 154 includes acap 156, having a handle 157, that may be attached to a mouthpiece 158of a housing 160 of ejector 150, such as by the capture of a knob 162 onthe cap or mouthpiece that is captured in a circumferential groove 164of the mouthpiece or cap, respectively. Service mechanism 154 may beheld in place by knobs 162 and 166 extending from opposite sides of cap156. Cap 156 is placed in an entry position by insertion of the cap inthe mouthpiece, with knobs 162 and 166 aligned with openings 168 and 170in the inside walls of the mouthpiece, as shown in the illustration.

[0037] When the cap is placed in the entry position with the knobsaligned with internal circumferential groove in the mouthpiece, a wiperor blade 172 contacts an ejection face 176 having ejection ports 178 onan ejector head 180. The cap is then rotated in place as represented bythe arrows. The groove may have one or more stops 182 that limit thetravel of the knobs. When the knobs reach the end of travel in thegroove, the ports may have been wiped and the cap may be in a storedposition with the ejection ports sealed.

[0038] The user may then reverse this process to use the ejector. Duringremoval of the cap, the blade may again wipe the ports. It will beappreciated that other configurations of ejection ports, ejection face,wiper and cap structures may be used. For instance, the axis of rotationof the cap could be off center from a port or an array of ports, and theports may be configured differently, such as in an arc, instead of astraight line. Also, sensors may be used to detect the presence andposition of the cap or wiper.

[0039] Another embodiment of an ejector is shown generally at 190 inFIG. 11. Ejector 190 may include a fluid supply 192 in fluidcommunication with an ejector head 194. Ejector head 194 may have anejection face 196 through which may extend ejection ports similar tothose described previously. Other ejector features also may be asdescribed previously. A dual-purpose service mechanism 198, including acap 200 and a wiper 202, is shown in different stages of positioning thecap on a mouthpiece 204 of the ejector.

[0040] Wiper 202, may include a blade 206 that may extend toward andcontact the ejection face when the cap has been partially inserted, asshown in the middle illustration. Blade 206 may be formed of resilientmaterial, and may be inclined or curved so that it may be oriented at anangle to the ejection face as it contacts the ejection face. As the capis inserted onto or into the mouthpiece, a distal edge 206 a of blade206 may slide along the ejection face, cleaning away debris that existson the ejection face or around the ejection port or ports. The cap andmouthpiece may thus be referred to as structure for deploying theservice mechanism transverse to the ejection face. When the cap isplaced on the mouthpiece to its furthest extent, a circumferential rim208 of the cap, extending toward the ejection face, may contact theejection face, surrounding and sealing the ejection ports. The cap maybe held in place on the mouthpiece by a ridge 210 that snaps into agroove 212, as shown, or any other mechanism that secures the cap on themouthpiece. Removal of the cap may reverse this process, with blade 206wiping the ejection ports again.

[0041] As indicated by the embodiments disclosed, it will be appreciatedthat ejectors and associated service mechanisms may have varying formsand may perform varying functions. For instance, an active washingfunction may be provided, or a device may be provided that is insertedinto or against the ejection ports to clean or seal them.

[0042] It is believed therefore that the disclosure set forth aboveencompasses multiple distinct embodiments. While each of theseembodiments has been disclosed in specific form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of this disclosure thus includes all novel andnon-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements,features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, wherethe claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof,such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or moresuch elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medicament ejector comprising: an ejectionmechanism including at least one ejection port configured to eject amedicament-containing fluid; and a service mechanism selectivelydeployable to service the at least one ejection port.
 2. The medicamentejector of claim 1, wherein the service mechanism is deployable betweena first position exposing the at least one ejection port to allow theejection mechanism to eject the medicament-containing fluid and a secondposition in which the service mechanism is positioned to service the atleast one ejection port.
 3. The medicament ejector of claim 2, furthercomprising a drive mechanism configured to deploy the service mechanismbetween the first and second positions.
 4. The medicament ejector ofclaim 1, wherein the ejection mechanism includes an ejection faceadjacent to the at least one ejection port, and the service mechanism isdeployable at least one of along the ejection face and transverse to theejection face.
 5. The medicament ejector of claim 1, wherein the servicemechanism is configured to at least one of cap the at least one ejectionport, and clean the at least one ejection port.
 6. The medicamentejector of claim 1, wherein the ejection mechanism includes an ejectionface adjacent to the at least one ejection port, and the servicemechanism is configured to wipe the ejection face adjacent the at leastone ejection port.
 7. The medicament ejector of claim 6, wherein theservice mechanism includes a wiper configured to wipe the ejection faceat a substantially constant speed.
 8. The medicament ejector of claim 6,wherein the service mechanism is also configured to cap the at least oneejection port.
 9. The medicament ejector of claim 1, further comprisinga handle configured to move the service mechanism when the handle ismoved.
 10. The medicament ejector of claim 1, further comprising acarrier supporting the service mechanism, and a drive device configuredto apply a force to the carrier appropriate to deploy the servicemechanism.
 11. The medicament ejector of claim 1, further comprising acontroller configured to prohibit operation of the ejection mechanismuntil after the service mechanism has been deployed.
 12. The medicamentejector of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured toprohibit operation of the ejection mechanism while the service mechanismis deployed.
 13. An inhaler comprising: a supply of a fluid containing amedicament; an ejection mechanism including a face having a plurality ofejection ports, each port having an associated ejection chamber coupledto the fluid supply and configured to eject medicament-containing fluid;a wiper configured to travel along the face of the ejection mechanism; adrive mechanism configured to move the wiper between a retractedposition in which the plurality of ejection ports are exposed to allowthe ejection mechanism to eject the medicament-containing fluid and adeployed position whereby the wiper wipes the face of the ejectionmechanism along the ejection ports.
 14. The inhaler of claim 13, whereinthe drive mechanism includes a handle adapted to be manipulated to movethe wiper between the retracted and deployed positions.
 15. The inhalerof claim 13, further comprising a controller configured to controloperation of the ejection mechanism, and wherein the drive mechanismincludes a sensor configured to determine whether the wiper is in theretracted position, the controller being further configured to prohibitoperation of the ejection mechanism unless the wiper is in the retractedposition.
 16. The inhaler of claim 13, further comprising a capperjoined with the wiper, the drive mechanism being further configured tomove the wiper through the deployed position to a store position, andwherein the wiper wipes the face of the ejection mechanism duringmovement between the retracted position and the store position, and thecapper caps the plurality of ejection ports upon the wiper reaching thestore position.
 17. A method of using a medicament ejector comprising:ejecting a medicament-containing fluid from an ejection mechanismincluding at least one ejection port; and servicing the at least oneejection port by deploying a service mechanism supported relative to theejection port.
 18. The method of claim 17, the service mechanism is in afirst position exposing the at least one ejection port during ejecting,and wherein deploying includes deploying the service mechanism to asecond position in which the service mechanism is positioned to servicethe at least one ejection port.
 19. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising mechanically driving the service mechanism between the firstand second positions.
 20. The method of claim 17, where the ejectionmechanism has a face adjacent the ejection port, and wherein deployingcomprises at least one of deploying the service mechanism along theejection face and deploying the service mechanism transverse to theejection face.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein servicing includes atleast one of capping the at least one ejection port and cleaning the atleast one ejection port.
 22. The method of claim 17, where the ejectionmechanism has a face adjacent to the ejection port, and wherein cleaningincludes wiping the ejection face adjacent the at least one ejectionport.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein wiping comprising wiping theejection face at a substantially constant speed.
 24. The method of claim17, wherein servicing includes capping the at least one ejection portand wiping the ejection face at the at least one ejection port.
 25. Themethod of claim 17, wherein deploying includes manually moving theservice mechanism.
 26. The method of claim 17, wherein ejecting occursonly after deploying.
 27. The method of claim 17, further comprisingpreventing ejecting during deploying.
 28. A medicament ejectorcomprising: means for ejecting a fluid-based medicament, including atleast one means for allowing the passage of medicament out of theejecting means; and means for servicing the at least one allowing means.29. The medicament ejector of claim 28, further comprising means formaintaining the servicing means in a first position exposing the atleast one allowing means during ejecting, and means for deploying theservicing means to a second position for servicing the at least oneallowing means.
 30. The medicament ejector of claim 28, furthercomprising means for mechanically driving the servicing means betweenthe first and second positions.
 31. The medicament ejector of claim 28,wherein the ejecting means further includes an ejection face adjacent tothe allowing means, the ejector further comprising at least one of meansfor deploying the servicing means along the ejection face, and means fordeploying the servicing means transverse to the ejection face.
 32. Themedicament ejector of claim 28, wherein the servicing means includes atleast one of means for capping the at least one allowing means, andmeans for cleaning the at least one allowing means.
 33. The medicamentejector of claim 28, wherein the ejecting means further includes anejection face adjacent to the allowing means, and wherein the cleaningmeans includes means for wiping the ejection face at the at least oneallowing means.
 34. The medicament ejector of claim 33, furthercomprising means for deploying the wiping means for wiping the ejectionface at a substantially constant speed.
 35. The medicament ejector ofclaim 28, wherein the servicing means includes means for capping the atleast one allowing means and for wiping the ejection face at the atleast one ejection port.
 36. The medicament ejector of claim 28, furthercomprising means for manually moving the service mechanism.
 37. Themedicament ejector of claim 28, further comprising means for controllingoperation of the ejecting means so that ejecting occurs only after theservicing means has serviced the allowing means.
 38. The medicamentejector of claim 28, further comprising means for controlling operationof the ejecting means for preventing ejecting during servicing.
 39. Amethod of making a medicament ejector comprising: providing an ejectionmechanism having at least one ejection port configured to eject amedicament-containing fluid; and providing a service mechanismselectively deployable to service the at least one ejection port. 40.The method of claim 39, wherein providing a service mechanism includesproviding a service mechanism that is deployable between a firstposition exposing the at least one ejection port to allow the ejectionmechanism to eject the medicament-containing fluid and a second positionin which the service mechanism is positioned to service the at least oneejection port.
 41. The method of claim 39, further comprising providinga drive mechanism configured to deploy the service mechanism between thefirst and second positions.
 42. The method of claim 39, whereinproviding an ejection mechanism includes providing an ejection faceadjacent to the ejection port, and wherein providing a service mechanismincludes providing a service mechanism that is deployable at least oneof along the ejection face, and transverse to the ejection face.
 43. Themethod of claim 39, wherein providing a service mechanism includesproviding a service mechanism that is configured to at least one of capthe at least one ejection port, and clean the at least one ejectionport.
 44. The method of claim 39, wherein providing an ejectionmechanism includes providing an ejection face adjacent to the ejectionport, and wherein providing a service mechanism includes providing aservice mechanism that is configured to wipe the ejection face at the atleast one ejection port.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein providing aservice mechanism includes providing a service mechanism that includes awiper configured to wipe the ejection face at a substantially constantspeed.
 46. The method of claim 44, wherein providing a service mechanismincludes providing a service mechanism that is also configured to capthe at least one ejection port.
 47. The method of claim 39, furthercomprising providing a handle configured to move the service mechanismwhen the handle is moved.
 48. The method of claim 39, further comprisingproviding a carrier configured to support the service mechanism, andproviding a drive device configured to apply a force to the carrierappropriate to deploy the service mechanism.
 49. The method of claim 39,further comprising providing a controller configured to preventoperation of the ejection mechanism until after the service mechanismhas been deployed.
 50. The method of claim 39, further comprisingproviding a controller configured to prevent operation of the ejectionmechanism while the service mechanism is deployed.